‘Viva Che!’ artist talks to RT about reclaiming his most famous work (VIDEOS)

In the 50 years since the death of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara at the hands of CIA-trained Bolivian forces, his image has become synonymous with leftist struggles the world over, the most iconic of which was designed by Irish artist Jim Fitzpatrick.

The ‘Viva Che’ poster has adorned many a college student's dorm room, and his likeness has been used to sell everything from t-shirts to cigarettes - not that Fitzpatrick is too happy with that particular iteration.

RT.com met with the activist-artist, and his two cats Elroy and Leroy, at his beachfront home studio in Dublin to discuss Che - the man, the poster, and a fateful meeting in 1961.

In addition to ‘Viva Che,’ the artist has designed album covers for some of Ireland’s most famous musicians, including Sinead O’Connor and pioneering rock band Thin Lizzy, whose frontman Phil Lynott was a personal friend of Fitzpatrick’s.

His artwork is also inspired by Palestinian hunger strikers, Celtic mythology and Irish historical figures.